3 police officers on Montreal's South Shore suspended over drug trafficking allegations

Three officers with a police service on Montreal's South Shore are under investigation over allegations they sold drugs for criminal biker gangs.

Radio-Canada has learned that the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) launched its investigation several months ago following serious allegations involving two detective sergeants and a patrol officer from the Régie intermunicipale de police Roussillon.

Roussillon is a regional municipality located just south of Montreal, in the Montérégie region.

SQ Capt. Benoit Richard, head of communications, said Wednesday that special investigators are meeting with police officers and civilian staff in connection with the case.

The three officers have been suspended with pay. They have not yet been charged.

Police chief Michel Guillemette told CBC News the officers in question are experienced and were suspended Wednesday. He declined to comment on the ongoing criminal investigation.

"I have fulfilled my responsibilities as police chief, and I want to reassure the public that they can count on professional, dedicated and committed officers. There is no cause for concern," he said.

Guillemette said the situation is not an easy one for his police service.

A spokesperson for Quebec's public security minister declined to comment so as not to interfere with the investigation, but said, "these allegations in no way reflect the work done by the 15,000 police officers across Quebec."

The Roussillon regional police service covers seven municipalities: Candiac, Delson, La Prairie, Saint-Constant, Saint-Mathieu, Saint-Philippe and Sainte-Catherine.